Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) Stock Price Expected to Rise, Stephens Analyst Says

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) had its price objective upped by Stephens from $83.00 to $92.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an “overweight” rating on the stock. Stephens’ target price points to a potential upside of 25.08% from the stock’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on SAH. Needham & Company LLC lifted their target price on Sonic Automotive from $74.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Sonic Automotive from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Sonic Automotive from $75.00 to $74.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 17th. Finally, Seaport Res Ptn raised Sonic Automotive from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average price target of $78.00.

Sonic Automotive Trading Down 0.0 %

NYSE:SAH opened at $73.55 on Thursday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $68.03 and a 200-day simple moving average of $62.76. Sonic Automotive has a one year low of $47.82 and a one year high of $76.78. The firm has a market cap of $2.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.09 and a beta of 1.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.87, a quick ratio of 0.35 and a current ratio of 1.11.

Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 12th. The company reported $1.51 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.46 by $0.05. Sonic Automotive had a net margin of 1.41% and a return on equity of 21.27%. Equities analysts anticipate that Sonic Automotive will post 5.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its position in Sonic Automotive by 515.4% during the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 480 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 402 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired a new stake in shares of Sonic Automotive in the fourth quarter worth $51,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. raised its holdings in shares of Sonic Automotive by 100.3% during the third quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 1,196 shares of the company’s stock worth $70,000 after purchasing an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. R Squared Ltd acquired a new position in Sonic Automotive during the fourth quarter valued at $72,000. Finally, Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd boosted its holdings in Sonic Automotive by 1,429.7% in the fourth quarter. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd now owns 1,545 shares of the company’s stock valued at $98,000 after purchasing an additional 1,444 shares during the last quarter. 46.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sonic Automotive Company Profile

Sonic Automotive, Inc operates as an automotive retailer in the United States. It operates in three segments, Franchised Dealerships, EchoPark, and Powersports. The Franchised Dealerships segment is involved in the sale of new and used cars and light trucks, and replacement parts; provision of vehicle maintenance, manufacturer warranty repair, and paint and collision repair services; and arrangement of extended warranties, service contracts, financing, insurance, and other aftermarket products for its guests.